Chiefs’ shrinking sphere of influence

Publishing Date : 03 October, 2018

Author : MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE

The juggernaut that used to be Mochudi Center Chiefs is no more. Lurching from the sublime to the brutal, Magosi as Center Chiefs is popularly known have been anything but dull. The statistics of the premier league game say it all. Six games, no win. Are Magosi already losing influence? STAFF WRITER MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE examines Centre Chiefs’ downward spiral.

It has been evident for some time that there would be something serious at stake when the 2018-19 premier league campaigned started. But what was less evident until this past Wednesday was that Chiefs might fall into relegation zone owing to disastrous start of the campaign. That they missed out of the last edition of the Mascom Top 8 for the first time in 6 years was a first tip of an iceberg before reality sinks that trouble has finally arrived.

But as preparations for this season began, it would later become obvious that the team led by little known gaffer, Philane Mabhena failed to off-load pressure on themselves when recruitment was done. As things stand, it is becoming apparent that Chiefs played the first opening six games just to experiment and not to compete. It has never happened to a team that used to give Township Rollers a serious run for their money that they found themselves in such a dangerous territory-even when it is still early days.

It is hard to know where to start when detailing the key events in previous seasons that have not once offered moments of quiet stability. Chiefs have changed administrators, changed coaches, and changed the bulk of the team. Since a time administrators started fighting for the control of the club, the team never bought, but resorted to grasp young talent and it has unsuccessfully yielded results. On the other hand, they failed to nurture and protect them.

Since lifting silverware in 2014 -15, Chiefs budget could no longer be examined but it is a fact they have lost hordes of followers. All these pieced together are clear reasons the team is slowly fading away in the Premier League. Last season alone, Chiefs played better during the first round though with annoying mixed results, at the pricier end – be in form of midfielder Lesego Lubinda (now with Notwane) managed a couple of good games in the first round, then faded bafflingly; Assistant coaches Innocent Morapedi and Pontsho Moloi finally provoked boos from their home crowd before finding form while Thatayaone Ramatlapeng and Mmoloki Kufikwa remained equal parts heroes and villains due to their inability to convert clear –cut chances.

The team currently is perched on the 11th spot, with only three points and 11 full points behind log leaders Jwaneng Galaxy who are yet to lose a game. However, few at the team, or anywhere else, are still giving the team much hope of redemption after they drew with league rookies Prisons XI on Tuesday. The team undeniably put up a spirited performance.

But again ,at this point and given the way the team is playing, it is possible to look down the fixture list and predict, without seeming too outlandish, that Chefs might again struggle to break into the top eight bracket. The way they had been playing certainly offered no clue that they might somehow salvage hope from a run-in that would give a title-challenger pause, let alone a team facing relegation.

Chiefs’ media liaison Clifford Mogomotsi admitted that the team is indeed under a difficult situation. He cries lack of finances as well as unavailability of players who cannot play. “We have never hidden the fact that we are in trouble, we need finances to run the team. You must also recall that our foreign players (Morris Ruzivo and Terrence Mandaza) are yet to play pending work permit,” Mogomotsi said.

He also stated that their coach is facing similar problem of a delayed work permit. However, the turning point – the moment that should spark the revival that will give Chiefs unforeseen hope of avoiding the drop – will surely present itself in the Security Systems game. They will have to confront the team equally struggling to keep up with the pace of the league. Systems also desperately need to get back to winning ways. They are equal on points with Chiefs.

Magosi will hope that the winning against Systems becomes a moral boost before facing marauding giant in Township Rollers in the next fixture. But if anything has been learned at the Toronto outfit the previous seasons-by fans and staff - it is that players can defy expectations. Too many of the supposed new stars have been anything but or have revealed devastating temperament flaws (and rumours from well-placed sources suggest growing resentment among the old guard of players about the new mix of money and arrogance in the dressing room).

But, equally, some of the players regarded as likely to fail at the top level are expected to perform heroics. Phenyo Molefhe who fell out of favour at Police XI earlier last season, has been central to the team’s games particularly those that ended in a draw. Former player, Elvis Meleka whose tactical nous extends to orchestrating dangerous moves towards the opposing end, has chipped in with some golden moments. Conceivably, Chiefs loss to resilient Rollers will be acceptable but for them to be wiped out by new entrants will surely see them shrinking.